`The Force' Is With 'Us Two "Star Wars" addicts give a thumbs up to "The Phantom Menace." LONNY GOLDSMITH & JOSHUA PAUL CANE T Staff Writer Web Producer tales of the Empire or the Rebellion, but of the greedy Trade Federation establishing a blockade and threatening the safety of the nearby planet Naboo. But fear not, two Jedi knights, keepers of the peace in the galaxy, are on their way to negotiate a treaty. hey admit the obvious: "We are Star Wars junkies." Staff writer Lonny Goldsmith was only 3 when LONNY GOLDSMITH: Similar to Star Wars was first released in 1977, Episode IV, the original Star Wars, it but he saw The Empire Strikes Back doesn't take long for the action to begin. and Return of the Jedi the day they A couple of minutes are allowed to set premiered in theaters: May 21, 1980, the stage, but not much more and May 25, 1983, respective- than that. "The Force" is used in ly. He's been watching all three more creative ways than in the ever since. previous trilogy. The lightsaber — Web producer Joshua Paul thanks CO Ray Park, the actor who Cane regularly watches his plays the sinister Darth Maul, this "Special Edition" Star Wars tril- episode's answer to Darth Vader ogy videos and is inspired by — is used in a far more aggressive their soundtracks as he puts JN manner than in other episodes: Online together each day. more like a samurai would use his For these two, Star Wars: Goldsmith katana. Park helps bring athleti- Episode I — The Phantom cism not previously seen in fight- Menace is an event finally here ing scenes, especially in his duels after 16 years of breathless with the young Obi-Wan Kenobi anticipation. Being at last week's (Ewan McGregor). press screening at the Star Southfield was an overwhelming JPC: Darth Maul has what I call honor that drew expressions of the Boba Fett Effect -- he's disbelief and jealousy from their instantly a classic cult figure friends and colleagues. despite what little onscreen time On May 11 at 7:30 p.m., Cane the Jewish News staffers were wel- comed among the first anywhere in the world to see George Lucas' first pre- quel to some of the best-loved films of MARA REINSTEIN all time. Special to the Jewish News The theater grew dark. The 20th Century Fox fanfare began and the 20-something, blonde- Lucasfilm Ltd. logo appeared. It ,was haired woman on the 18th time. floor of a fancy Park Avenue From two fans, a take on the hotel looks perplexed. Her movie's highlights: eyes nervously patrol the elevators as she acknowledges the important people JOSHUA PAUL CANE: The familiar around her with a half-hearted smile. "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far Everyone else is ignored, for all that away ..." quickly turns unfamiliar as matters is the task at hand. Soon, she the scrolling gold text reveals to us not brings a walkie-talkie to her mouth and delivers the urgent message: Joshua Paul Cane, Jewish News Web "Liam Neeson has too much tea. Jedi Master Qui-Gon (Liam Neeson), left, tells young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) and Jedi Apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) about a near deadly encounter as droid R2D2 looks on. he has. His presence is dramatic and striking (and is further enhanced by John Williams' fantastic score). The cli- matic battle between the two Jedis, Obi Wan and Qui-Gon (Liam Neeson), and Darth Maul will have viewers enraptured and enthralled. LG: Definitely edge-of-your-seat stuff And the music is fantastic. This could be the legendary Williams at his best. The lightsaber duel, scored with the powerful "Duel of the Fates," has me willing to pay again and again, just to see that scene on a continuous loop. A unique twist is the vocal sounds in the background; although words aren't used, the concept is new. JPC: Jar Jar Binks, the clumsy, but lov- able alien, will definitely become a favorite for the children. Initially I felt he was an awkward character, but quickly I appreciated the innocence and humor he evinces throughout the movie. LG: Jar Jar takes on the "comic relief" role played by the Ewoks in Return of May the Hype be with you: A day in the life of a "Star Wars" junket. A producer, still cherishes his original "Star Wars" action figures. Staff writer Lonny Goldsmith saw "The Phantom Menace" for the second time at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, when it first opened to the public. 5/21 1999 96 Detroit Jewish News Mara Reinstein, a former resident of Farmington Hills and Jewish News intern, works in New York as an editor- ial assistant at "Broadcasting and Cable" magazine. Please remove a pot immediately!" Welcome to the Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace press junket. Most major movies hold weekend promotional jaunts for national film critics. The actors, producer(s) and director grant dozens of interviews, expressing how much one and all loved working on the soon-to-open film. Meanwhile, the media dutifully soak up a free screening, a free hotel room and a lovely continental breakfast. Of course, that's the standard pro- cedure for a film. But Star Wars isn't a film. Haven't you been paying atten- tion? It's a quasi-religious experience. It's the theatrical equivalent of the Mona Lisa. Be there or be damned. So when 20th Century Fox held a press junket from May 7-9 at the Regency Hotel in New York, people cared — including me. I'm not a film critic (a professional one, that is), so I jumped at the chance to attend the event as a critic's guest. I guess you can say I used "the Force." Literally. My journey begins on a Saturday morning. Walking into the hotel, I notice a handful of people hovering around with their lightsabers and Star Wars magazines in tow, salivating at the possibility of seeing George Lucas get into his limo. Inside the hotel that 18th floor breakfast suite to be exact — television critics who had screened the movie Friday night buzz about the film's plot. The words "Jar Jar Binks" and annoying" are oft-mentioned. One by one, the critics are summoned by the walkie-talkie police into private rooms HYPE on page 99 - "